38 replies to this topic

[Redhead1982]

Thanks for the review. I find the set interesting enough to put it on my wanted list. I like the new colours coming out, that will add to the existing LEGO colours more variety.

The blackboard is a great detail, that can be included in school/college MOCs, and the little microscope and the robot are great builds as well. However, I do find the purple tools a bit unusual, although the oil container reminds me of water container for watering the flowers.

[lostcarpark]

vexorian, on 31 December 2011 - 05:27 PM, said:

Does it come with an extra round trans green tile?

Yes there is a space round tile (as well as spares of the 1x1 round plates in four colours, a pink cheeser and a white gearstick).

I think it's great to have tool wheels in another colour, and I'm glad it's purple rather than pink - if there are other mech builders in your LUG, it would be a good part to suggest for LUGbulk.

James

[Joebot]

Leela, on 31 December 2011 - 06:43 PM, said:

I'm glad someone finally paid attention to it. I don't like how the legs can only move together but the limited articulation of the hands is even worse. So even though I think these minidolls are actually very cute I'll be putting minifigs in their place.

They're pretty much identical to a Duplo fig (combined hip joint, shoulder joints, neck), which seems weird when you consider that these new doll-figs are essentially replacing the Belville figs in TLC's product lineup. The Bellville figs were WAY more articulated, with ball joint ankles, shoulders, wrists, and neck, and hinge joint knees and elbows (the elbows disappeared in later figs). If anything, the Bellville figs were TOO articulated. My daughter had a bunch of them, and they were almost kinda "floppy" because they had so many joints. The damn things never stood up!

It seems like TLC went too far the other way with these new doll-figs. I wish they'd aimed for the same articulation as a mini-fig, and given them individual leg joints and swiveling wrists. The lack of wrists is a big one. That really limits how you can pose these doll-figs.

That complaint aside ... I'm digging this whole theme. I think the City theme utterly blows this year (ugh, more police / fire / construction), so my money is going to Friends. The cafe and the veterinarian will both work really well in my mini-fig town.

[iamded]

What a neat set! Good parts, interesting selection of colours, and the set itself has some neat, simple builds. I like it. I think of all the Friends sets, this is my favourite. I really like that hair piece too, would fit nicely on my minifigs. Thanks for the review, lostcarpark.

[Scott]

I have hundreds of Lego sets in our house, my six yr old son and 9 yr old son love Lego.  My 6 yr old daughter got this set and 2 other friends sets tonight for her birthday and I have never seem her more happy about Lego.  She built this and the tree house, still has the cafe to build.  Lego made a great decision, for my daughter at least.
Scott

[lostcarpark]

petamas, on 31 December 2011 - 11:57 AM, said:

Could you post a picture with Olivia and the Amy Pond figure?

Thought I'd include River Song too...


Lego Friends by LostCarPark, on Flickr

James

[Sarah]

I just built this set and I noticed the parts count at the end is wrong.  Its says there are 6 round lt gray pieces (used as chemical covers) and 2 round dk gray pieces, but the instructions have you using *3* round dk gray pieces (one as a cover on the flash and two in the vise).  Luckily, there are enough parts available in the set. But I was surprised to see this.

Also, is that pink shelf underneath the vise necessary? I am trying to remember -- but it seems like every vise I can remember hangs off the edge of the bench they are on. Certainly it is not necessary for the build (I left it off at first since I missed it)

ETA: The hair that comes with this set only has 2 holes in it. I thought I'd read that the hair had 3 holes? So maybe different hairstyles have different numbers of holes?

Edited by Sarah, 06 January 2012 - 03:24 PM.

[AndyC]

Eeek, those River Song/Amy Pond figures are hideous. I think TLG has done a far better job of creating likeable doll figures.

Sarah, on 06 January 2012 - 03:23 PM, said:

I just built this set and I noticed the parts count at the end is wrong.  Its says there are 6 round lt gray pieces (used as chemical covers) and 2 round dk gray pieces, but the instructions have you using *3* round dk gray pieces (one as a cover on the flash and two in the vise).  Luckily, there are enough parts available in the set. But I was surprised to see this.

I don't think you're supposed to put one on the flask, at least not from the instructions I'm looking at. It does seem that the top of the flask piece is printed a bit too dark though, maybe that's what you're seeing?

[Legogal]

lostcarpark, on 31 December 2011 - 02:41 PM, said:

I don't buy that. They definitely seem to be promoting non-stereotypical female activities. While not perfect, I think it's a heck of a lot better than toys like Barbie.

The bit that's confusing me is what age are the characters supposed to be? Because they have girls' body shapes, but seem to be involved in grown up activities.

James

I, too, love the activities Olivia's Workshop promotes! Just purchased and built this set today (along with 3996-Emma's Design Studio).
We definitely need more female scientists, so this set is right on.

Very helpful review...thanks! The color combos are delightful; I am so turned off by the basic red, blue, green, yellow and black colors. Have been collecting pastel Lego for the past 3 years, so these sets are just what I need to fill my pastel houses.

As a long time collector of Belville and Paradisa, it is cool to see a new line of sets for females.

As to the fixed hands, that seems to be a major limitation of what the new Friends figs can do. And walking legs would be wonderful as well. I love the rest of the fig characteristics and am thrilled to have new hair that fits my vast collection of Lego gals.

Shelves are empty at our local TRU after just one week, so maybe this means they will be a huge success! Hoorah!

[Sarah]

Legogal, on 10 January 2012 - 12:01 AM, said:

As to the fixed hands, that seems to be a major limitation of what the new Friends figs can do. And walking legs would be wonderful as well. I love the rest of the fig characteristics and am thrilled to have new hair that fits my vast collection of Lego gals.

I thought this at first. Except then I realized that these reminded me of my dollhouse figures -- and I managed to play with them despite their hands being unable to hold ANYTHING at all. And they may have had walking legs -- I don't remember. I "bounced" them around the dollhouse from one place to another and didn't think twice about it (And laid them on the floor when they got to the destination since they did not stand up on their own). Oh and I didn't have dollhouse figures that could change clothes either. They were stuck the way we bought them. So compared to that these characters have lots of flexibility.

Edited by Sarah, 10 January 2012 - 03:55 PM.

[Legogal]

Sarah,
You are correct about the early dollhouse figures most of us played with!
Once I get to play with these new figs, I think that I will like them a lot.
Does it mean it is time to buy Olivia's house, and get with it big time? I hope so!
Cheers!

[Nick Pascale]

I am a retired teacher, part of my teaching career was teaching 4th, 5th and 6th grades, one thing always rang true there was very little out there to offer good role models for girls. This Inventor's Workshop in the FRIENDS range is to be commended! It's the first play-set I have seen that puts a "girl" in a non-stereotypical role! An inventor and then her invention...a robot! Wow! the fact she also has tools is a plus, even though they have been colored a dark purple, is another plus! Parents get tired of seeing girls toys push their daughters into mother, nurse and teacher roles! This range: FRIENDS goes beyond that! Besides the INVENTORS WORKSHOP we have a Vet and a Dog Show owner as well as an animal care taker! We also see an Entertainer with Andrea!, a set I modified check into: MOCpages and you'll see my version! Upcoming sets show the Friends as running a Horse Ranch, A rabbit hutch and a drummer! I say Bravo for these sets! My only negative is the girls need some "boy-FRIENDS" to interact with! The teaching aspect of these sets is right on target!
A solid investment for parents and plenty of play value for their daughters (and sons)!

[Locomotive Annie]

A wonderful set, - I purchased two of them this afternoon and will now be keeping an eye out for other Friends sets.

[Locomotive Annie]

I just thought I'd mention that I think the new Olivia's Desk polybag is a perfect addon to the workshop set.  That's certainly how I will be putting them together anyway